LIVERPOOL impresario Bill Kenwright told of his “devastation” following the sudden death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately.

Mr Kenwright brought the then 26-year-old Irish pop idol to the Liverpool Empire to star in a Christmas production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2002.

The show, which marked Gately’s acting debut, was a great success and he went on to perform in London’s West End for nearly two years.

Speaking from San Diego, California, Everton owner Mr Kenwright spoke of his admiration for the boy band star he affectionately nicknamed “Little Stevie Wonder”.

He said: “I woke up this morning to get loads of texts to say that Stephen had died.

“I am devastated and I find it hard to take in.

“Stephen auditioned for the role in Joseph, even though he was a big star at the time in Boyzone.

“He was a very good, decent lad, who was hard-working and never played the ‘I’m a pop star’ card. He was so excited to get the part as he never just wanted to be part of a boy band. Physically he’s a small boy but he overcame that and he was a terrific Joseph. He never sat back and he was always there at rehearsal and never missed a performance.

“The show was a big draw in Liverpool and it sold out.

“Stephen gave me two smashing years as Joseph and it gave him a real love of legitimate theatre.

“He was also brave with his sexuality and was one of the first of the boy bands to come out as gay.”

Gately, 33, died at 1.45pm on Saturday at his house in Port Andratx, Majorca, where he was on holiday with his partner Andrew Cowles.

A spokesman for the Gately family said his death was a “tragic accident” and he did not die from drugs or foul play.

Police said there were “no signs of suspicious circumstances”.

Boyzone said they were left “completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen”.

The four band members were on their way to the island yesterday.

The band’s manager Louis Walsh pulled out of the X Factor live finals show saying he was “very shocked and exceptionally upset”.

Gately, who married his partner Mr Cowles in a civil union in 2006, sent ripples through the pop world 10 years ago when he announced he was gay.

He joined Boyzone in 1993 after answering an advert in Dublin to audition for Ireland’s first boy band.